The death toll from the collapse of a building in Bangladesh that housed garment factories has climbed close to 260 as the search for survivors goes on.

Rescue crews discovered 40 people still alive underneath the rubble of a collapsed building Thursday, and officials believe there are still more to be found and are working non-stop. They say they can hear the cries of those still trapped in the rubble.

More than 3,000 people were in the building outside Dhaka when it collapsed Wednesday. More than 1,000 were injured. Authorities do not know how many people are missing.

Police say the owner of the building and factory managers ignored official warnings for people to evacuate the building after inspectors found cracks in it Tuesday. The owner is on the run and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promises he will be caught and punished.

More than a thousand textile workers fought with police Thursday as they protested the accident and Bangladesh's poor factory safety standards. Some of the protesters also blame European and American companies and their demand for low-cost goods from the garment manufacturers.

A fire at another garment factory in November in Bangladesh killed more than 100 workers.